Americans to send 14 to AHL camps

ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans have announced that a Central Hockey League record 14 members of their 2010-11 roster have been invited to five American Hockey League training camps, set to begin on September 27th.

After finishing the regular season with a 42-17-5 record and fourth in the league with 89 points, the Americans made an impressive run through the playoffs, eventually earning a trip to the President’s Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Rapid City Rush four games to two.
That impressive inaugural season brought attention to the skill set of many of the players on their roster and the 14 who have been selected now have the opportunity to display their talents at the next level, something the Americans organization has been committed to since its inception.
“We have structured, and recruited our team based on acquiring players who have an interest in playing in the American Hockey League,” Americans Head Coach Dwight Mullins said. “Last year we set the standard, and this year we have even more guys getting the chance to skate in AHL camps.”
Prior to the start of their inaugural season, a then CHL record 11 Americans players attended camps throughout the AHL. In addition, during the regular season, goaltenders Chris Whitley and Charlie Effinger, defenseman Brandon Straub and forward Justin Bowers were each called up to the AHL.
“We’ve made a huge effort to provide these kinds of opportunities for our players,” Mullins said. “I’m excited that we are able to again show our commitment to getting these guys chances.”
The Americans’ AHL affiliate Texas Stars invited six Americans players to attend their camp at the Cedar Park Center, near Austin, Texas. Forward Nino Musitelli and left wings Colton Yellow Horn, Bobby Bolt and Alexandre Quesnel will make the trip down South, along with center Judd Blackwater and goaltender Adrien Lemay. 
Musitelli, 25, was third on the Americans 2009-10 regular season roster in goals, assists and points, registering 63 points (23 G, 40 A, +11) and 36 penalty minutes in 62 games played. He led the team on special teams with 27 points (9 PPG, 18 PPA) and added 26 points (13 G, 13 A, +12) in 20 post-season contests (2nd in the league).
Yellow Horn, 23, established himself as fan favorite at the Allen Events Center last season and made his mark, notching 35 points (10 G, 25 A, -2) in just 43 games played. He added 20 points (10 G, 10 A) and 20 PIM in 20 games played during the playoffs.
Second-year center Tobias Whelan, 26, is headed east to compete for a spot with the Rochester Americans training camp at the Blue Cross Arena . Whelan had a solid rookie season in Allen, accounting for 33 points (18 G, 15A, +6) and 70 PIM during 57 regular season games and another seven points (4 G, 3 A) in 19 post-season contests.
Returning defenseman Brandon Straub, 27, has been invited to the San Antonio Rampage training camp at the AT&T Center. Straub led all CHL defensemen with 185 PIM last season and accounted for seven points (2 G, 5 A, +8) during the regular season and added two assists and 35 PIM in 20 post-season games.
Goaltender Chris Whitley and right wing Liam Huculak will attend camp with the Lake Erie Monsters at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Ohio.
Whitley, 27, had an impressive rookie season with the Americans, finishing the regular season with a 31-5-5 record. He second in the CHL in games played (43) and minutes played (2560.56) and first in wins (31) during the regular season. Whitley started all 20 Americans playoff games, posting a 10-10 record. He broke three CHL playoff records for a single postseason: most saves (636), most appearances (20) and most minutes (1205).
Last season’s team captain Jarret Lukin, 26, will attend the expansion Oklahoma City Barons training camp along with left wing Dustin Donaghy, center Dave Bonk and defenseman Justin Dacosta. Lukin, who tallied 32 points (14 G, 18 A, +7) and 50 PIM in 47 regular season games and 14 points (5 G, 9 A) and 20 PIM in 20 playoff games takes the opportunity to attend a higher level camp very seriously.
“I’m going there to make the team,” Lukin said. “If you’re not going with the intentions of making the team, you’re probably not going to play your best…you go out there and play your game, and you really never know who’s watching, or what it could lead to.”
Just 25 days remain before the Americans open their second season with a two-game series against their cross-town rivals, the Texas Brahmas at the Allen Event Center on October 15-16th. In a league that has seen several teams win a championship in their second season, the Americans are certain to be one of the teams to watch in 2010-11.
Contact the author/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com